The spending debate begins in Congress this week

The spending battle finally begins this week in Congress

 

This past week the Senate continued debating the Federal Aviation Admin. bill but mostly was in recess while Senate Democrats conducted their legislative agenda retreat in Charlottesville, VA. What emerged from their multiple-day retreat was a clear message that they intend to attack the GOP as they construct their budget cutting Omnibus appropriations bill which will continue the funding of our Federal Government through the end of this fiscal year. (Sept.30, 2011). This Continuing resolution or CR as it is commonly called will be the subject of debate on the House side and some talk on the Senate side this coming week. The Senate Majority Leader said on the Senate floor last week that the Congress needs to concentrate on the “quality of the cuts not the quantity.” He went on to say that the cuts should not “take teachers out of the classroom or police officers off the streets.” This theme will be echoed throughout the halls of Congress beginning this week as the Senate resumes the Federal Aviation administration bill, the House begins action on the Omnibus spending bill and the President submits his annual budget to Congress Monday, Feb. 14.

 

The House side will begin their debate on the spending bill as early as Tuesday. The Chairman of the Appropriations comm. Cong. Rogers (R-KY) posted the $100B in cuts late last week. You can view them here

 

http://appropriations.house.gov/_files/ProgramCutsFY2011ContinuingR...

 Expect the rhetoric to continue from the Minority Leader, Cong.Pelosi (D-CA) and other democrats as they continue to back up her claim made in her farewell speech as Speaker of the House when she said on Jan. 5, 2011 that: “Deficit reduction has been a high priority for us. It is our mantra, pay-as-you-go."

Minority Whip Steny Hoyer said in his Friday, Feb. 11, weekly whip report

 

link: http://www.democraticwhip.gov/content/whips-report-february-11-2011

 

in an effort to counter the GOP’s $100 billion in spending cuts that: “President Obama, on the other hand has already proposed a 5-year spending freeze that will save $400 billion, and Democrats are ready to work in a bipartisan way to address the deficit.” However, many in Congress see the President’s alternative much like telling an out of control teenager who has maxed-out the parents credit cards that they will be cut off from any more credit limit increases. The only problem with this scenario and with the President’s proposal is that the teenager is still allowed to charge on the credit card at the same out of control rate that existed before the credit increase was capped. With this thought process in mind, expect several amendments to be offered by members of the House minority party when the House considers the Omnibus appropriations bill under an open rule this week. This open rule will allow for minority party amendments, presumably on allowing more spending. It is worth noting that open rules were almost never allowed during the four year reign of Speaker Pelosi. Minority Whip Steny Hoyer promised that: “Next week we will fight for needed investments in our economy and call for a real, serious plan to reduce the deficit.”

 

Stay tuned to hear the rhetoric and see the democratic alternatives to the GOPs plan to cut government spending back at least $100 billion. This spending bill needs to be passed by March 4, 2011, so let the games begin!

Elizabeth B. Letchworth is a retired, elected United States Senate Secretary for the Majority and Minority. Currently she is a senior legislative adviser for Covington & Burling, LLC and is the founder of GradeGov.com (http://www.gradegov.com)

 

 

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Tags: appropriations, budget, continuing, cuts, omnibus, president's, resolution, spending

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Comment by Millie Howard on February 15, 2011 at 10:01am

There is no reason for increases in government programs every year.  Rather we should be cutting 2% over the next ten years on all government programs.  The taxpayer should not be liable for wage/benefit increases for those who work  directly or indirectly for the taxpayer.  MORE MONEY COMES WITH MORE RESPONSIBILITY.  EVERY JOB THE TAXPAYER PAYS FOR HAS A 6 MONTH LEARNING CURVE AND THAT IS THE END OF WAGE/BENEFIT I NCREASES.  After 6 months everyone who gets paid by the American taxpayer who thinks they are worth more, should go out into the world and sell their skills at current market rates, not tax the American people.

 

We should change the way we pay anyone in America.  Permanent minimal wages/benefits and when tax revenue is good or the business has a good year, the money will broken down at 50% for a rainy day fund, 25% for all employees at the same rate and 25% returned to the taxpayer or investor. 

Comment by Dan on February 14, 2011 at 2:21pm

HOW ABOUT THE 3.5 TODAY SHUT THE FEDS DOWN NOW.

 

Comment by USARogue on February 14, 2011 at 6:25am

"so let the games begin!"

That's exactly what all this is to our politicians. Games. Games they play to reinforce their position to be reelected and to maintain their party agenda. None of them, Democrats or Republicans, are serious. They will spew their rhetoric and watch the polls and see if it fits into their respective agendas. If it passes the litmus test they'll promote some pathetically anemic spending freeze, at the currently bloated rate, and claim victory. This is the Bulls**t that must end.

The American people know what needs to be done. Many of us are willing to make the sacrifices necessary to turn our economy around. The problem is the politicians are in a never ending campaign mode and are to cowardly to touch the big ticket items. I respect Mike Pence and his S.T.A.R.T. program, at least he has the cajones to put it out there. I respect Rand paul and Paul ryan for their budget proposals, they're realistic and necessary to fix our collapsing economy.

A tsunami swept over our nation last November 2nd. We sent a message loud and clear to Washington about what we want done. The first test will come in early March when the debt-limit increase will be voted on. I myself recommend it NOT be raised. This will expose the real fiscally responsible leaders in congress. They can cry and scream how it will shut down our government all they want. If they have the "guts to make the cuts" the debt ceiling can be left where it is. This will make a huge impression that our elected leaders truly get it. if not our economy will continue to collapse. Egypt will look like an economic powerhouse.

Comment by Millie Howard on February 13, 2011 at 10:00pm
The message to the Republicans and Democrats is that no new spending shall be tolerated.  If you vote to spend, you shall be voted out.  If you increase current programs in either size or money you shall be voted out.
Comment by Sean Reardon on February 13, 2011 at 9:21pm
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Comment by Sean Reardon on February 13, 2011 at 9:19pm

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Comment by Sean Reardon on February 13, 2011 at 9:19pm
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Comment by Lester Sheets on February 13, 2011 at 9:10pm

There is good evidence that every department and agency in government needs CAREFUL OVER SIGHT. So let's cut the budgets of all of the by 30% and end someof htem completely. CONGRESS should set up commities to have oversight of every department FOR QUALITY CONTROL and to make budget, as well as, operational recommendations. IT IS TIME OUR PEOPLE IN CONGRESS STARTED EARNING THEIR MONEY.   With good congressional oversight control efficiency can be improved and budgets cut. YES WE CAN BALANCE THE BUDGET.

 

Comment by Lester Sheets on February 13, 2011 at 8:37pm
HUNTER 60 MAY HAVE IT ABOUT RIGHT..  THERE IS NO DOUBT THE GOVERNMENT IS TOO BIG.  IT'S BIGGER THAN OBAMAS MOUTH AND BUDDY,  THAT   IS  BIG.
Comment by Lester Sheets on February 13, 2011 at 8:29pm
I'm with Rand Paul !!  He has outlined a plan to cut $500billion. LETS TAKE A HARD LOOK AND MAKE A HARD TRY.  IT IS TIME TO GET REAL

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